By Baptist Message staff ZACHARY, La. (LBM) – Women from across Louisi­ana will gather, April 17–18, at First Baptist Church, Zachary, for “Embrace,” a statewide Louisiana Baptist Women’s Missions and Ministry con­ference designed to encour­age each attendee to recog­nize her God-given value and calling. Bible teacher and author Melissa Spoelstra will be the keynote speaker for the two-day event. Teaching from the book of Numbers, Spoelstra will offer lessons on content­ment and trusting God in every season of life. Hosted by the Louisiana Baptists Women’s Missions and Ministry team, “Em­brace” will seek to equip women of every generation and background to grow spir­itually and engage in God’s mission through the local church. “Our desire is for women to leave ‘Embrace’ confident in their God-given value and equipped to live out their purpose,” Louisiana Bap­tist Women’s Missions and Ministry Strategist Christine Gill told the Baptist Message. “When women understand their calling and grow in their relationship with Christ, it strengthens families, church­es and communities.” General sessions will incorporate prayer, teaching and worship led by the FBC Zachary praise team. The event also will include the an­nual … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – For the past 13 years, Carlos Schmidt has fulfilled the Great Commission to Hispanics across the state. He has seen the number of Hispanic-speaking church­es grow from 25-55 and encouraged them to continue reaching their communities for Jesus. Now, Schmidt is set to retire, March 31, as a church planting strategist for Loui­siana Baptists. However, he will continue to pursue his passion for reaching the lost with El Renuevo, Lafayette, having served as pastor of the church since 2019. CALLED Born in the country of Colombia, Schmidt’s first exposure to life in Louisi­ana began when he was an exchange student with a Catholic family in Crowley. Though he did not know Christ at the time, he met his wife, Gwen, while living there. The two married and moved back to Colombia, where they lived until they decided to return to Louisi­ana in 1980. After returning to Louisiana, they experi­enced marital problems, which led Gwen to find peace via her fellowship with members of First Baptist Church, Rayne. Meanwhile, Schmidt was working as a helicopter mechanic with PHI Aviation in Lafayette. He also took a part-time job as a financial management and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer MORGAN CITY, La. (LBM) – Churches in the state have embraced their mission to further the Gos­pel through establishment of hospitality rooms for law enforcement officers. Through their efforts, churches such as Bayou Vista Baptist Church, Morgan City, and Live Oak Baptist Church, Denham Springs, have built Christ-like relationships with po­licemen and policewomen in their areas. “Being in law enforce­ment, I knew some of the struggles,” Bayou Vista Baptist Church Pastor Ronnie Mabile told the Baptist Message. “I knew some of the pitfalls and I’ll always have a heart for those in the military, those who serve locally in local sheriffs and police depart­ments, and fire depart­ments. “It’s hard on them and they have a tough job, especially in today’s cli­mate,” he continued. “They don’t always see the best in people, and we wanted to show them the best we could by opening the room inside our church. “Our facilities are not ours; the facilities on the Lord,” he said. “So how can we not use our facili­ties to reach and minister to them?” Mabile spent eight years patrolling the highways and byways of Assumption Parish and after he re­signed still had a burden to reach … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Shane, wife Victoria, Russell is the new Outreach Minister at Wilda Baptist Church, Boyce. Mike, wife Phyllis, Freeman is the new minister of music at First Baptist Church, Marion. Michael Collins is the new pastor at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, Farmerville. Collin, wife Leslie, Carpenter has been called by Calvary Baptist Church, Ruston as the new youth pastor. Jeremy Babb is the new associate pastor at Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia. Clayton, wife Gracie, Bryan is the new pastor at Cheniere Baptist Church, West Monroe. Billy, wife Linda, Edwards is the new pastor at Marksville Baptist Church, Marksville. Aaron Coffey is the new pastor at New Sarepta Baptist Church, Sarepta. Evan Griffin to be ordained into the ministry March … [Read more...]

By Baptist Message staff MANAUS, Brazil - David Denton is urging Louisiana Baptists to join an annual Brazil summer mission trip to see a Gospel harvest in a city the team has not visited since 2015. Scheduled for early July, the team will partner with Brazilian Baptist churches in Manaus, Amazonas, to reach local communities with the Gospel. The registration deadline is March 7, and a $500 non-refundable deposit is due at that time. “The trip provides an invaluable experience in partnering with believers from the United States and Brazil to fulfill the Great Commission,” said Denton, pastor, Highland Baptist Church, New Iberia, and director of Beyond the Walls ministry. Last year, 69 participants saw a harvest of 700 Brazilians and the construction of the 75th church facility in the country since Beyond the Walls began its annual mission efforts there in . The team will leave for Brazil July 10 and return July 21. The ministry, Beyond the Walls, uses a multi-team approach that combines visitation, drama, construction and cooking for evangelistic outreach. The cost of the trip is $3,220, and covers housing, meals, airfare, daily transportation, airport transfers, insurance, tips and team t-shirts. Email … [Read more...]

By Elizabeth Clarke, LCU News PINEVILLE, La. (LCU News) - Louisiana Christian University’s Dean of Social Work Juanita Moorman practices what she professes. Moorman, who lives in Oakdale, has served as the dean of the School of Social Work since August. She also continues to be a hands-on social worker, in addition to her academic duties at LCU. Moorman said she believes it makes a world of difference—not just to her—but to her students. “I enjoy being allowed to practice clinically and still teach,” she said. “It’s an opportunity at LCU that other schools don’t offer. I think that allows students a unique learning experience—even better than I was allowed in my own studies. It enriches the classroom.” Faculty evaluations done by students echo that sentiment. Students appreciate having a professor who is still practicing what they are teaching them and preparing them to do professionally. Moorman has supervised Drug Court in Vernon Parish for the past 13 years, and does group therapy for Drug Court in Beauregard and Allen parishes from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. every Saturday. Her work has even helped with recruitment for LCU’s Master of Social Work program. “There’s a shortage of licensed clinical social workers, … [Read more...]